The concept of "covenant-blood" is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, symbolizing the solemn and binding nature of covenants between God and humanity. In the Scriptures, blood serves as a powerful symbol of life and sacrifice, and it plays a crucial role in the establishment and ratification of covenants.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the use of blood in covenant-making is prominently illustrated in the Mosaic Covenant. When God established His covenant with the Israelites at Mount Sinai, Moses took the blood of sacrificed animals and sprinkled it on the altar and the people, declaring, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words" (Exodus 24:8). This act signified the people's commitment to obey God's law and the seriousness of the covenant relationship.

The Passover, another significant event, involved the use of blood as a protective sign. The Israelites were instructed to apply the blood of a lamb to their doorposts, and this blood served as a sign for the LORD to "pass over" their homes during the final plague in Egypt (Exodus 12:13). This event not only marked the deliverance of Israel but also prefigured the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of the Old Testament covenants through the person and work of Jesus Christ. At the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the New Covenant, declaring, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you" (Luke 22:20). Here, Jesus identifies His impending sacrificial death as the means by which the New Covenant is established. His blood, shed on the cross, becomes the ultimate atonement for sin, surpassing the temporary sacrifices of the Old Covenant.

The Epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on this theme, emphasizing that Christ's sacrifice is superior to the old sacrificial system. "He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12). The shedding of Christ's blood is portrayed as the definitive act that cleanses believers from sin and grants them access to God.

Theological Significance

Covenant-blood underscores the gravity and sanctity of the relationship between God and His people. It highlights the costliness of sin and the necessity of atonement. In the Old Testament, the blood of animals served as a temporary covering for sin, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. In the New Testament, the blood of Jesus is the foundation of the New Covenant, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, affirms the redemptive power of Christ's blood, stating, "We have now been justified by His blood" (Romans 5:9). This justification is not merely a legal declaration but a transformative reality that brings believers into a new covenant relationship with God.

Practical Implications

For believers, the concept of covenant-blood calls for a response of faith and obedience. It invites Christians to live in the light of the New Covenant, embracing the forgiveness and new life offered through Christ's sacrifice. The Lord's Supper, or Communion, serves as a continual reminder of this covenant, as believers partake of the bread and the cup in remembrance of Christ's body and blood given for them.

In summary, covenant-blood is a central theme in the biblical narrative, symbolizing the profound and sacrificial nature of God's covenants with humanity. It points to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, whose blood establishes the New Covenant and secures eternal redemption for all who believe.

The New Passover
... It is 'covenant blood,' the seal of that 'better covenant' than the old, which God
makes now with all mankind, wherein are given renewed hearts which carry the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the new passover.htm

Detailed Contents
... The meaning of Kopher the equivalent of lutron, The Lord's Supper: Views of Spitta
and Hellmann criticized, The idea of covenant-blood: relation of sacrifice ...
//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/detailed contents.htm

The Earliest Christian Preaching
... Not that one would include under this head the creative words of Jesus already referred
to about the ransom and the covenant blood; these bear the stamp of ...
/.../denney/the death of christ/chapter 2 the earliest christian.htm

The Synoptic Gospels
... Brandt, whose criticism is skeptical enough, holds that the only historically certain
words in the whole story are, This is My covenant blood, drink ye all of ...
/.../denney/the death of christ/chapter 1 the synoptic gospels.htm

Covenant-blood (1 Occurrence)
Covenant-blood. Covenant, Covenant-blood. Covenantbreakers .
Multi-Version Concordance Covenant-blood (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/covenant-blood.htm - 6k

Trample (34 Occurrences)
... severer punishment, think you, will he be held to deserve who has trampled under
foot the Son of God, has not regarded as holy that Covenant-blood with which ...
/t/trample.htm - 16k

Trampled (41 Occurrences)
... severer punishment, think you, will he be held to deserve who has trampled under
foot the Son of God, has not regarded as holy that Covenant-blood with which ...
/t/trampled.htm - 19k

Regarded (52 Occurrences)
... severer punishment, think you, will he be held to deserve who has trampled under
foot the Son of God, has not regarded as holy that Covenant-blood with which ...
/r/regarded.htm - 20k

Deserve (40 Occurrences)
... severer punishment, think you, will he be held to deserve who has trampled under
foot the Son of God, has not regarded as holy that Covenant-blood with which ...
/d/deserve.htm - 18k

Covenantbreakers (1 Occurrence)

/c/covenantbreakers.htm - 6k

Severer (4 Occurrences)
... severer punishment, think you, will he be held to deserve who has trampled under
foot the Son of God, has not regarded as holy that Covenant-blood with which ...
/s/severer.htm - 7k

Severe (53 Occurrences)
... severer punishment, think you, will he be held to deserve who has trampled under
foot the Son of God, has not regarded as holy that Covenant-blood with which ...
/s/severe.htm - 23k

Held (223 Occurrences)
... severer punishment, think you, will he be held to deserve who has trampled under
foot the Son of God, has not regarded as holy that Covenant-blood with which ...
/h/held.htm - 34k

Covenant (309 Occurrences)

/c/covenant.htm - 101k

What was a blood covenant (Genesis 15:9-21)? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of the sprinkling of blood? | GotQuestions.org

What was the Old Covenant? | GotQuestions.org

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